Supporters of the FIRE Foundation of Northwest Iowa attended the annual FIRE and Flights event in Sioux City. The organization raises awareness and funds for inclusion of students with disabilities and special needs into Catholic schools in the Diocese of Sioux City.

After the director of religious education (DRE) position at St. Patrick Parish in Estherville had been open for an extended time, for the last two years two women of the parish are sharing the duties. Double-team Courtney Newgard and Britney Rosburg have served as co-DREs for the faith formation program for kindergarten through confirmation at St. Patrick’s since July of 2023. The majority of their efforts are for the youth, but they are working to expand offerings for adults.

The day after the patron saint of the internet – St. Carlo Acutis – was canonized by Pope Leo XIV, Sacred Heart School in Sioux City blessed its new STEM lab that was named in honor of the first millennial saint. Deacon Kevin Poss, who is part of the Bishop Heelan Catholic Schools campus ministry team, led the prayers of dedication for the St. Carlo Acutis STEM Lab on Sept. 8. “Through the work of our hands and the help of technology, we cooperate with the creator who conferred the earth as a dwelling place for the human family,” the deacon prayed, asking the students to contribute to society and use technology as a way to follow Christ and serve one another in love.

Two young Italian men were the focus of Catholics around the world last weekend. Pope Leo XIV canonized the first saints of his papacy Sept. 7 – St. Pier Giorgio Frassati and St. Carlo Acutis. Included in the crowd of 80,000 Catholic faithful attending the canonization Mass were Bishop John E. Keehner and diocesan seminarians Thomas Kollasch and Anthony Vera, who attend the Pontifical North American College.

Briar Cliff University in Sioux City is pleased to welcome the new faculty, staff, and athletic hires to campus for the 2025-26 academic year. The additions bring a wide range of expertise, experience, and energy to the Briar Cliff community.

Chairs of the 2026 Storm Lake St. Mary Ball and Auction, Jeff and Amanda Foell, announced that Adam and Kate Friedrichsen will serve as co-chairs for the March 14, 2026 event.

Denison St. Rose of Lima School educator earns a $1,000 classroom grant.

NOTE: This article is the first in a series of articles related to faith formation, leading up to Catechetical Sunday that will be celebrated on Sept. 21. Youth groups in parishes throughout the Diocese of Sioux City serve students in a variety of ages. The Salt & Light group of St. Mary Parish in Humboldt started several years specifically for students in 11th and 12th grades. According to Deacon Don Evans, the group was established to try to buck the trend of students no longer participating in faith formation upon their confirmation.

Briar Cliff University invites alumni, students, families, and the Siouxland community to join in the 2025 Homecoming celebration, taking place September 22 – 28. This year’s celebration will include a blend of classic favorite and reimagined events for all ages. Throughout the week, students will enjoy on-campus activities, while the weekend welcomes alumni and the broader community to campus for social gatherings, athletic competitions, and special performances.

Gehlen Catholic School in LeMars will celebrate homecoming next week with the homecoming game Sept. 12 versus Sioux Central. The court has been selected with coronation at noon Sept. 12, followed by the 1:45 p.m. parade. This year's theme is Around the World.

St. John the Baptist Church in Arcadia, part of the Good Shepherd Parish based in Breda, celebrated their 150th anniversary last weekend. Bishop John Keehner participated by presiding at the Mass.

The Catholic Community Foundation of Minnesota has established The Annunciation Hope and Healing Fund to provide financial support for the needs of the church and school and to provide support to those affected by the tragedy.

The Society of Our Lady of the Trinity (SOLT) sisters are inviting young women from the United States, Mexico and Central America to join them on Oct. 3 for an evening with vespers, dinner and reflection. Convents in Texas, Arizona, Michigan, Missouri, North Dakota, Belize, Guatemala and Mexico – and even Willey in the Diocese of Sioux City - are hosting a Magnificat night with the SOLT sisters. This is the first time the entire SOLT community has planned this type of event.

Join your fellow Catholics and help provide a spiritual bouquet for the pope's 70th birthday on Sept. 14. The USCCB is joining forces with Our Sunday Visitor and other Catholic entities to present a massive spiritual bouquet to Pope Leo. The faithful are encouraged to enjoy pizza that day - one of the Holy Father's favorite foods.

Sister Anne Marie Walsh, SOLT column: You see this common theme of creatures or beings who, at times, may even seem like misfits in the universe, coming to the aid of threatened humanity with powers that surpass ordinary human capacity. The characters may not be real, but the fight certainly is. And so is the need for help that comes from beyond the ordinary.

Later this month, the colorful mailers with the Together As One (TAO) logo and photos of activities from around the diocese will arrive in the mailboxes of all parishioners. The official kickoff for TAO – Our Diocesan Annual Appeal will be the weekend of Sept. 13 and 14. In addition to funding directed back to parishes raising contributions above their designated goal, parishes and schools benefit.